Crystal Lake (Montcalm)

[32eml24]

I will be camping at Crystal Lake August 30, 31, Sept. 1.  I am not looking for any specific information as I realize this is a tournament body of water.  I have never seen the lake before and I love to plan before I go on trips like this so I have a few general questions that maybe some of you can shed some light on.
1.  I have heard both largemouth and smallmouth inhabit the lake.  Which of the two is more abundant and on average which is bigger?
2.  From what I've looked at, I don't see a lot of vegetation.  What is the bottom like?  Is there a defined weedline?
3.  Should I plan on a lot of boat traffic from pleasure boaters?
4.  What kind of weight do I need to catch to feel good about how I'm doing- lots of 2 pounders, 3 pounders, etc.
5.  Maybe this is pushing it but I'll ask anyway- should I begin my search shallow or deep? 
Thanks for any help you can provide and I will post a report when I get back,
Ethan

[Waterfoul]

The lake does have a decent weedline around most of the drop off.  It also has several sunken islands and a couple of points that often hold fish.  Largemouth outnumber the smallies by a pretty good margin.  Most of the tournaments I've fished there are won off the docks if it's sunny out at all, though I've done pretty well on the offshore structure and weedlines.  The north end of the island with the house on it has always give me a fish or 3.

[32eml24]

Tried to pm you waterfoul but your inbox is full!!

[Waterfoul]

Tried to pm you waterfoul but your inbox is full!!

Keeps the rifraf out!

[Eric]

Over the last 18 years or so of fishing there, it has historically been a 7.5-8 pound lake for tournaments. Spring is better of course.  I did win one with over 10 last summer all under docks.  The smallies are present but very unreliable.  Best chance for them is likely in the rocky area in front of the beach during the low light conditions.  The weedy drops along the north shore have some as well.  Especailly in front of the new house with the blue steel roof.   There is a small drop and short weeds that grow from just east of the boat launch a few hundred yards south.   Right in the color change fish often hang out.  Hard to see sometimes.  Only about 6" drop and 2 ft wide strip.  There are some humps on the west end that hold fish.  Tons of boat traffic on the weekends.  Not too bad during the week.  Plan on frustration and small fish.  Big ones do live there, but they don't show themselves much.  Hope you have great weather and sack up some fatties.   If I were you, I'd drop shot buzzbaits around the docks. 

[32eml24]

I thought I was the only one clued in on the buzzshot... dangit! Thanks for all the info sounds like itll be interesting!

[Waterfoul]

Last tourney I fished there I think Bill Simpson and I had 11 lbs and winning sack was 13 (His were all dock fish).  I could be way off, it was a couple years ago.

Senkos, drop shot, texas rigged baits (beavers, worms, etc...).  Shakey head on those rocks Eric mentioned has given me a few fish over the years.

Mike

[32eml24]

Looking at a map I have to say im very surprised at the dock pattern, youd think the bigger ones would relate to all the awesome breaks! At least I have options and now I know what to expect. Thank u guys for all the tips!

[Waterfoul]

It's only about 2 hours to Lake Mac from there... so if the fishing is slow on Crystal.... you could always go there.       

[32eml24]

I know mac is your favorite place to fish waterfoul but there are other good places too just broaden your horizons a little bit 

[red68prostreet]

Someone please explain what is a dropshot buzzbait?

[Waterfoul]

Someone please explain what is a dropshot buzzbait?

Um.... it's a joke.     Kinda like drop shotting a crankbait.

[djkimmel]

Or Carolina-rigging a jitterbug... (though I actually snagged this rig on from the bottom of the Grand River in Lansing??)

[red68prostreet]

Ok, you got me to bite on the drop shot buzzbait thing but to be honest it does not sound that far fetched. I figured someone let a buzzbait sink to the bottom then did a yo-yo retrieve and started a new fad. If you had told me you had some for sale I would have probably bought some. My wife says I have a problem as she thinks I have more stuff than BassPro. Keep it going cause you had me hooked.

[djkimmel]

You do have a problem. We ALL have a problem!!

I can recall a number of times where a buzzbait that was not on the top caught a quality bass. VinceR seems to specialize in catching big bass on spinnerbaits laying on the bottom! Try that! Deadsticking spinnerbaits!?!